A north suburban state representative who briefly hinted at challenging Michael Madigan for House speaker now says he's exploring a run for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Rep. Scott Drury, a Highwood Democrat in his third term representing a Lake County district, attacked the leaders of both Illinois political parties in his announcement.

"The public feels helpless against a billionaire governor and Democratic machine that refuse to prioritize people's needs over political gain. Gov. (Bruce) Rauner's approval rating is dreadful, and Mike Madigan's is even worse. The public believes Republicans and Democrats share the blame for the state's problems and knows that long-term solutions are needed," Drury said.

"Since taking office, my goal has been to usher in a new era of government in Illinois — one defined by credibility and responsibility," Drury said in an email to supporters. "The public does not trust Illinois government. If Illinois is to change course and move forward, it first must establish a strong foundation of trust upon which it can build."

If he enters the race, Drury would have to give up running for re-election to his House seat and would join a field of candidates that includes Northwest Side Ald. Ameya Pawar, state Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston and wealthy businessmen Chris Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker.

An attorney, a former assistant federal prosecutor and adjunct professor at Northwestern University's law school, Drury's efforts to portray independence from Madigan have served to isolate him from Democratic colleagues. In January, he was the only Democrat to refuse to support Madigan for re-election as speaker, a post Madigan has held for all but two years since 1983.

Drury contended Madigan retaliated for the move by not giving him a gift clock that was handed out in gift bags to the 66 House Democrats who supported the speaker's re-election. Drury also said he was not given a House committee chairmanship and was removed from his previous spot on the House Judiciary Committee. Committee chairmen and ranking members get a stipend to supplement their salaries.

Drury also is unlikely to gain much support from traditional Democratic allies in organized labor, where he has opposed legislation pushed by other Democrats to counter Rauner's efforts to weaken public employee unions.

In addition, Drury opposed a Madigan-backed proposed constitutional amendment to ask voters if a surcharge should be imposed on incomes of more than $1 million for schools. The four Democrats in the race to take on Rauner say they support a graduated tax rate based on income to replace the state constitution's mandated flat tax.

Last week, Drury sought to highlight his independence from Madigan during debate over a stopgap budget to fund social services and higher education. The lawmaker criticized Republicans for failing to stand up to Rauner, who opposed the measure, saying it was time for GOP members to "grow a spine" and "do what you think is right."

"There is no one on that side of the aisle, no one, in that side of the aisle in the last two years has shown the spine to stand up to your leader. All right? There is one person on this side who has. And I can commiserate with you, I can tell you what it's like, if you want to know what is going to happen, but in a lot of ways it's like the shackles being off," Drury said.

Following the heated attack, Drury did not vote on the proposal. He had opposed earlier stopgap spending measures.

Drury has accepted more than $36,000 in help from the Democratic Majority, a campaign fund headed by Madigan, largely for voter lists and campaign staff. He had $280,155 in his campaign fund to begin this year and raised another $4,500 in large donations, including $1,500 from the Democratic Majority and $2,000 from investment trader Blair Hull, who lost a 2004 primary bid for the U.S. Senate to Barack Obama.

"I recognize the enormity of trying to change the status quo in Illinois and the resistance the establishment will put forth to stop the effort," Drury told supporters. "However, as Bob Dylan famously wrote, "the first one now will later be last, for the times they are a-changin'." The purpose of this exploration is to determine whether Illinois is ready for such change."

A version of this article appeared in print on April 11, 2017, in the News section of the Chicago Tribune with the headline "Drury, Democrat who bucked Madigan, mulls governor bid - North suburban lawmaker would face moneyed foes" —
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